ANNEXURE-I
Summary Record of Discussion of the 56th Central Advisory Board of Education
1. The Fifty Sixth Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) was held on 31st August 2009 at Hotel Ashok, New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by the Hon’ble Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Kapil Sibal. Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development, Shri C.P. Joshi, Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. M.S. Gill, Hon’ble Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Kantilal Bhuria, Hon’ble Minister of Labour and Employment, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Hon’ble Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Smt. D. Purandeswari, Member Planning Commission, Dr. Narendra Jadhav. and Hon’ble Ministers in-charge of Education from various States/UTs attended the meeting. The Board also has eminent educationists, authors, artists, linguists etc. apart from Heads of different autonomous organizations and Secretaries of different departments of the Government of India as its members. List of Hon'ble Ministers who attended the meeting is at Annexure-I(a) and list of Hon'ble Members of CABE who attended the meeting is at Annexure-I(b).
2. The CABE is the highest advisory body to advise the Central and State Governments in the field of education. It was reconstituted by the Government on 12th December 2008 with the mandate to review the progress of education and implementation of education policies and to advise regarding educational development in the country. The CABE also acts as a forum for coordination and exchange of views between Central & State Governments/Union Territories and Non-Governmental Agencies and eminent persons from different walks of life on education policy and progress.
3. The meeting focused on the vision for the future with Child Centric education as mentioned by Shri Sibal in his opening address, and also reviewed various initiatives by the Ministry of HRD both in School Education & Literacy as well as Higher Education. The meeting also focused particularly on the legislation for Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan – flagship programme for universalisation of elementary education; Mid-Day Meal Programme meant for improving nutritional standards and health status of school-going children and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan for universalisation of access to secondary education and Education Reforms.
4. In the area of Higher Education, the Central Advisory Board of Education deliberated on planning and progress in expansion of Higher Education envisaged under the 11th Five Year Plan. The meeting also focused on initiatives like opening of new Central Universities, Central assistance for the 374 new degree colleges in educationally backward districts, opening of new IITs, IIMs, NITs, IITSERs and IIITs, National Mission on Education through ICT, educational advancement of minorities, Reforms in Higher Education and creation of an all encompassing National Commission for Higher Education and Research (NCHER) a constitutional body.
5. (i) CABE unanimously endorsed the general need for reforms at all levels of education and felt that while there may be different view points on the pace and process of reforms, there was unanimity on its direction in the interest of children who are India’s most precious assets. Members reiterated their commitment to a meaningful partnership between Central and State Governments, non-government and civil society organizations in the national endeavour for the future of children in our country. The national endeavour should encompass:
(a) expansion of the existing education system to allow choices to children.
(b) Inclusion so that no child is left out, and special priority given to child belonging to SC/ST and other disadvantaged groups, including children with special education needs so that they receive the same educational opportunity as other children.
(c) Opportunity for excellence for all children.
(ii) CABE welcomed the new legislation on Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education, which would lead to significant systemic reform in the elementary education sector, including SSA. CABE endorsed the RTE mandate for ensuring universal access, attendance and completion on elementary education, and recommended that quality benchmarks in teacher qualification, quality of teacher education and curriculum reform be expeditiously established. CABE also welcomed the shift in approach from provision of incentives and benefits to child rights and entitlements. CABE endorsed the need for synergy between the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education and the literacy and continuing education programme.
(iii) CABE emphasized the need for all States to modify their curriculum, syllabi and textbooks on the basis of NCF 2005, so that all children in the country have access to child-centric, constructivist teaching and learning process. CABE emphasized that curriculum and textbooks should be fully in line with constitutional values and child centered pedagogies.
(iv) CABE endorsed the necessity of a core curriculum in science and mathematics at secondary and higher secondary levels across all Education Boards in the country, so as to provide a level playing field to all students to join professional courses.
(v) CABE noted the efforts of CBSE to introduce a grading system in lieu of marks for its Class X examination from next year with the objective of reducing unhealthy competition, and thereby reduce stress, and suggested to the States that they explore the possibility of following suit.
(vi) CABE was unanimous that there is a need to reduce examination stress among students. CABE noted the attempt of CBSE to make class Xth examination optional for students who will continue in the same school in Class – XI, while replacing the same with an efficient comprehensive and continuous evaluation (CCE) system so that standards of learning outcome are not compromised.
(vii) CABE agreed to set up a Committee to draw up guidelines regarding ICT in School Education.
Higher Education
viii) CABE approved the proposal for an autonomous overarching authority for higher education and research with its policy related functions being distinct from regulatory functions– some States felt that there should be scope for the involvement of States. The Task Force constituted to follow up on the proposed National Commission for Higher Education and Research would consult States in this regard. CABE also approved the proposal of a self-selecting Collegium of eminent persons for greater objectivity and assistance to search committees in the selection of Chairperson and Members of the proposed National Commission and in the selection of Vice Chancellors and other eminent academic and research positions.
ix) CABE endorsed the need for a law to prevent, prohibit and punish malpractices in higher education – some States felt that the scope of the proposed law should be widened to include all sectors of education, and it was explained that the present proposal was in keeping with the legislative competence of Parliament.
x) CABE approved mandatory assessment and accreditation in higher education – the proposed law should take into consideration the concerns expressed by some of the States with regard to the autonomy of the processes of accreditation.
xi) CABE supported the proposal to establish Educational Tribunals at the national and State levels for fast track adjudication, without undermining the authority of universities.
xii) CABE also supported academic reforms in Central Universities, State Universities and Colleges, especially the need to revise curriculum and update teacher competence with appropriate support from Centre and States.
xiii) CABE welcomed the proposed policy to attract talent to teaching and research to higher education system generally.
xiv) CABE endorsed the proposal to establish a Central Madrassa Board, which it felt should have greater representation of academics, especially women – and should ensure that only non-theological education would be overseen by the Board in respect of Madrassas volunteering to be affiliated to the Board.
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ANNEXURE-I (a)
List of Hon'ble Ministers who attended the 56th Meeting of CABE
|
S. No. |
State |
Name |
|
1. |
Assam |
Shri Gautam Bora |
|
2. |
Bihar |
Shri Hari Narayan Singh |
|
3. |
Chhattisgarh |
Shri Brij Mohan Agrawal |
|
4. |
Gujarat |
Shri Raman Lal Bora |
|
5. |
Haryana |
Shri Mangeram Gupta |
|
6. |
Himachal Pradesh |
Shri Ishwar Das Dhiman |
|
7. |
Jammu & Kashmir |
Shri Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed (School Education) Shri Abdul Gani Malik (Higher Edn.) |
|
8. |
Karnataka |
Shri Arvind Limbavali (Higher Edn.) Shri Visheshwar Hegde (Sec.Edn) |
|
9. |
Kerala |
Shri M.A. Baby |
|
10. |
Madhya Pradesh |
Mrs. Archana Chitnis |
|
11. |
Maharashtra |
Shri Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil |
|
12. |
Manipur |
Shri L. Jayanta Kumar Singh |
|
13. |
Meghalaya |
Mrs. A. Lyngdoh |
|
14. |
Mizoram |
Shri Lalsawta |
|
15. |
Nagaland |
Shri Nyeiwang |
|
16. |
Orissa |
Shri Devi Prasad Mishra (Higher Edn.) Shri Pratap Jena (School & Mass Edn) |
|
17. |
Rajasthan |
Master Bhanwar Lal Gupta (Edn) Dr. Jitendra Singh (Higher Edn) Shri Mahendrajeet Singh (Technical) |
|
18. |
Sikkim |
Shri N.K. Pradhan |
|
19. |
Tamil Nadu |
Thiru T. Thangam Thennarasu |
|
20. |
Uttar Pradesh |
Shri Rang Nath Mishra |
|
21. |
West Bengal |
Shri Sudarshan Raychoudhury (Higher Edn.) Shri Partha Dey (School Edn.) |
ANNEXURE-I (b)
List of Hon'ble Members of CABE who attended the
56th Meeting of CABE
1. Shri K. K. Aboobacker
2. Ms. Shantha Sinha
3. Shri Vinod Raina
4. Shri Javed Akhtar
5. Ms. Teesta Seetalvad
6. Shri Kiran Seth
7. Mrs. A. Hemavathi
8. Dr. Mithu Alur
9. Prof. Mrinal Miri
10. Dr. C. Subramaniam
11. Shri Gopal Guru
12. Prof. Abhai Maurya
13. Prof. Gopichand Narang
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ANNEXURE-II
SUMMARY RECORD OF DISCUSSION OF THE 57TH CENTRAL ADVISORY BOARD OF EDUCATION HELD ON 19th June, 2010
Fifty Seventh Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) was held on 19th June, 2010 at Hotel Ashok, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Human Resource Development. Smt. Ambika Soni, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Smt. D. Purandeswari, Minister of State for Human Resource Development and Vice-Chairperson of CABE, Shri Prateek Patel, Minister of State, Youth Affairs and Sports and Ministers-in-charge of Education from various States/UTs attended the meeting. The Board also has eminent educationists, authors, artists, linguists etc. apart from Heads of different autonomous organizations and Secretaries of different departments of the Government of India as its members.
2. The CABE is the highest advisory body to advise the Central and State Governments in the field of education. The previous meeting i.e. 56th meeting of CABE was held on 31st August, 2009. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed today with a minor amendment of Shri M.A. Baby, Hon’ble Education Minister of Kerala that he was not against the private participation in education but it should be with strict and comprehensive regulations.
3. The meeting focused on the vision of education for the future with Child Centric education, as mentioned by HRM in his opening address. HRM said that we cannot be slaves of the past and must move with the processes of change. We need to learn from the past; build on it and create opportunities for the future of our children as also the future of the unborn child. While enunciating his vision of child centric education, HRM recalled the very insightful and perceptive statement made by Shri MC Chagla in 1964, when he was Education Minister. He said: (Quote) “Our Constitution fathers did not intend that we set up hovels, put student there, give untrained teachers, give them bad textbooks, no playgrounds and say, we have complied with Article 45 and primary education is expanding…They meant that real education should be given to our children between the ages of 6 and 14” (Unquote). HRM said that the most precious of all resources are our children and we must ensure that they get all the opportunities for their development. Smt. Ambika Soni, Minister of I&B congratulated HRM for his unsparing efforts in developing India as a knowledge society and said that her Ministry would be glad to partner with MHRD to have nation-wide campaign of empowerment through education.
4. The meeting focused particularly on the proposed Higher Education and Research Bill, dematting of academic awards, harmonising norms of SSA & RTE, National Vocational Qualification Framework and core curriculum for Science and Maths as also Commerce.
5. After detailed discussions, the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) took the following decisions:-
i. CABE considered the proposal on the draft Higher Education and Research Bill, 2010. It was clarified by HRM that the draft Bill remained the property of the Task Force until it submitted its final proposal to the Ministry. Prof. N.R. Madhava Menon, member of the Task Force constituted by MHRD to follow up on the recommendations of the Committee on Rejuvenation and Renovation of Higher Education (Yash Pal Committee) and the National Knowledge Commission, presented the proposal and explained the modifications proposed by the Task Force after taking into consideration the inputs and suggestions received from various stake holders during the wide ranging process of consultations across the country.
Members of the Task Force also briefed CABE on clarifications in regard to certain provisions raised on behalf of States. It was explained that the proposed NCHER was intended to promote autonomy of universities by devolving powers hitherto exercised by the existing regulatory bodies, prevent fragmentation of education, promote interdisciplinary pursuit and creation of knowledge, accord a level playing field through norm-based funding for all universities – Central or State, grant powers to States to participate in policy making at the national level through representation in the decision making processes of the proposed Commission etc.
While there was a general consensus in regard to the need to establish an overarching body at the apex level to prevent fragmentation of Higher Education and to promote interdisciplinary pursuits for creating knowledge, CABE decided that State Governments and other members could send in written comments and suggestions within 4 weeks, so that the Task Force could take the same in to consideration, before the draft Bill was finalized and submitted to the Ministry of Human Resource Development for the consideration of the Central Government.
ii. CABE considered the proposal on the proposed National Academic Depository Bill, 2010 for creating and maintaining a national electronic database of academic records and awards at no cost to Central or State Government. CABE endorsed the proposal which mandates academic institutions – universities, higher educational institutions, CBSE and States Boards of Education to entrust academic awards with authorized Depository to be appointed under the legislation for secure storage, authenticated access, online verification and efficient retrieval while ensuring confidentiality, fidelity and authenticity.
iii. CABE unanimously welcomed the steps taken to harmonise the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. CABE expressed solidarity in taking proactive steps for ensuring the educational rights of all children. The Central and State Governments will collectively provide adequate financial resources to meet the challenges of implementation of the Act. In the context of admission of 25% children from disadvantaged groups and weaker sections in unaided schools, CABE resolved to constitute a Committee to address the complexities involved in its implementation.
iv. Recognising the high demand for skill in the country, CABE emphasised the need for a National Vocational Qualification Framework to provide a common reference framework for linking various vocational qualifications and setting common principles and guidelines for a nationally recognised qualification system and standards. It was resolved to set up an inter-ministerial group which would also include representatives of state Governments to develop guidelines for such a National Framework.
v. CABE endorsed the proposal for implementation a core-curriculum in the subjects of science and mathematics by all higher secondary boards in the country from the academic session 2011-12. The preparation of core curriculum for commerce was also endorsed.
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ANNEXURE-III
CONSENSUS POINTS ARISING IN THE CONFERENCE OF STATE
EDUCATION MINISTERS’ HELD ON 18TH JUNE 2010
The Hon’ble Minister representing States welcomed the initiatives taken by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in respect of the proposed National Educational Finance Corporation, which is conceived to provide easy refinance and differential guarantees in respect of educational loans availed by students for higher education from Banks and financial institutions. The proposed Corporation shall also finance the infrastructural requirements of educational institutions directly as well as through refinance facilities.
The Hon’ble Minister of HRD shared with the Hon’ble Ministers from States a child centric vision of education including higher education. In particular, he exhorted States to join hands in
a) Reducing the multiplicity of entrance examinations for entry to higher
education;
b) The need to develop a core curriculum in schools for the subjects of science and mathematics, without in any manner restricting or affecting the authority of States in prescribing syllabi and conducting Board Examinations. Such a core curriculum would enable level playing field for all students irrespective of background;
c) Establishing a National Institute for Assessment and Evaluation, which could serve as an advisory institution to help School Boards volunteering to seek such help in assessment and evaluation
d) Restoring the weightage that must be accorded to performance in class 12 in entrance tests for professional and other courses; this would minimize the current inequality in access to such courses of study due to dominating influence of expensive preparatory coaching;
e) Extending the system of Comprehensive and Continuous Evaluation up to class 10;
f) A National Vocational Curriculum Framework;
g) A curriculum framework for value education because examinations are only a gateway to higher education whereas values last and guide a lifetime.
HRM agreed to take up at the appropriate levels the feelings expressed by Hon’ble Ministers from States in regard to the enhancement of age of superannuation of teachers in higher education in the pay revision package.
States were requested to send in proposals under 11th Plan schemes in accordance with the decision taken by the National Development Council.
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